Red Bull’s Max Verstappen slammed the new 2026 rules as ‘anti‑racing’, sparking concerns about his future. F1 chief Stefano Domenicali met the Dutch champion, calling his stay “no doubt”.
Formula 1's governing body, the FIA, has ruled Ferrari's novel rotating rear-wing design as legal. The concept, which creates lift to cut drag, represents a fresh approach to DRS and benefits from new technical regulations encouraging drag-reduction innovation for 2024.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali calls for calm regarding concerns over the 2026 technical regulations, dismissing pre-season panic over energy deployment issues. He assures that problems are being addressed collaboratively within the F1 Commission and that the fan spectacle remains intact.
Formula 1 is considering doubling the number of sprint races to 12 per year from 2027 and revamping Friday formats to add more competition, while also managing a fluid future calendar that may see the Turkish Grand Prix return as new long-term venues are delayed.
The FIA's new flashing blue light start procedure, designed to improve safety with 2026's more complex engines, hasn't curbed Ferrari's apparent launch advantage. Lewis Hamilton demonstrated this in testing by blasting from fifth to first, underscoring a potential early-race edge for the Scuderia as the new season approaches.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali expects Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso to continue racing beyond 2025, citing their fighting spirit and value to the sport, despite both facing significant competitive challenges with their respective teams at the start of the new season.
Teams complete their final preparations in Bahrain, with Mercedes appearing strong and Aston Martin seeking solutions to reliability issues ahead of the 2026 season opener in Australia.
Formula 1 is testing new Friday sessions to boost live action, eyeing a longer practice slot or rookie runs, while weighing a 12‑race sprint limit and a possible Turkey return for 2027.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali is confident Max Verstappen will not retire early, despite the champion's criticism of the 2026 car regulations. After a private meeting, Domenicali stated Verstappen is committed to shaping F1's future and that his concerns are part of a normal dialogue about preserving the sport's driving essence amid technical evolution.
Williams Racing has formed a multi-year partnership with Swiss watchmaker Girard-Perregaux, effective from the 2026 season. The deal highlights the team's commercial growth as it also prepares for a tightly contested midfield battle in the upcoming F1 season, which begins with a double-header in Australia and China.
Lewis Hamilton's practice start performance in Bahrain has lent credence to rumors that Ferrari may have a launch advantage for 2026, coinciding with the team's debut of a radical rotating rear wing. The innovative design highlights Ferrari's aggressive approach to the new regulations, while other teams faced reliability issues and the FIA works to finalize engine rules.
The 2026 F1 season begins under all-new technical regulations, sparking questions about a potential four-way title fight and placing immense pressure on George Russell. It's a defining year for legends Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso, while newcomers Cadillac and a revamped Aston Martin embark on crucial long-term projects.
